A Resident of Both Pittsburgh and Chicago Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of both Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Chicago, Illinois, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal law regarding the sexual exploitation of children, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

Ashok Panigrahy, age 53, pleaded guilty to one count before United States District Judge Christy Criswell Wiegand.

In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that from on or about November 21 through November 22, 2022, in the Western District of Pennsylvania, Panigrahy knowingly possessed images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Judge Wiegand scheduled sentencing for July 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not more than 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000.00, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Heidi M. Grogan is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Homeland Security Investigations (Pittsburgh and Chicago) conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Panigrahy.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals, who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.